A demonstration at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities on Monday resulted in 11 arrests after pro-Palestinian protesters barricaded an administrative hall, trapping staff members inside.

The protesters blocked the entrances and exits of Morrill Hall, which houses the offices of university president Rebecca Cunningham. According to a statement from the university, the protest began peacefully around 3 p.m. in front of Coffman Memorial Union.

However, a group of demonstrators soon moved toward Morrill Hall and entered the building. Once inside, they spray-painted walls, covered internal security camera lenses, broke windows, and blocked entrance and exit points, according to the university.

At 4:34 p.m., the university issued a SAFE-U Emergency Alert urging those inside Morrill Hall to leave if possible and advising others to avoid the area. The statement noted that some staff members were trapped inside for an extended period.

Police arrived on the scene about an hour after the alert was issued. With support from the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, the University of Minnesota Police Department entered Morrill Hall around 5:40 p.m. and arrested 11 individuals involved in the protest.